Obituaries
Death of Beulah Lea Holden
Beulah Lea Holden, 93, of Gillespie, IL, died at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, IL on Friday, March 20, 2015, at 11:37 p.m. She was born on August 27, 1921, to Bert Draper and Ida May Draper. She married Arthur L. Holden on August 31, 1940 and he preceded her in death on March 31, 1988.
She was retired after been a bookkeeper for Schutt from 1938-1958. She was also a secretary and stenographer for University of Illinois Division of Services for Crippled Children from 1960-1986. Beulah was an avid book reader.
She is survived by her son, Steve (Robbie) Holden of Mesa, AZ; grandchildren, Nicole Dawn Leber of San Antonio, TX, Scott Arthur Holden of Mesa, AZ, Michelle Dawn Holden of Mesa, AZ; great-grandchildren, Daryk Daniel Holden, Owen Nathaniel Kistler; sister, Dorothy Friend-Buck of Litchfield, IL, and good friend, Cindy Ramseier.
Beulah was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, sister, Lucille Poplar, niece, Jane Poplar Re and brother in infancy.
Visitation services will be on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Benld from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 1:00 p.m. at Kravanya Funeral Home in Benld, IL. Burial will be at Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield, IL.
Memorials are suggested to Gillespie Public Library, Partnership for Educational Excellence District 7, Donor’s Choice.
Kravanya Funeral Home, Benld, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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Grace “Sally” Agnes Schuerman, 74 of Nokomis, passed away at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis, MO on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 11:49 pm. She was born on December 28, 1951, in Hillsboro to the late John Whitlow and Agnes Haggarty Whitlow.
She married James Schuerman on June 7, 1975 in Decatur. She worked as a dietician, home health aide and cook. James and Sally were foster parents to many children over the years. She loved horses and her grandkids.
She is survived by her children, April Balestri (James) of Eagarville, Cris “Bill” Schuerman of Nokomis, and Crystal (Greg) Linton of Aldrich, MO; daughter in law, Kasey Schuerman; grandchildren, Paul Balestri, Gracelynn Balestri, Hunter Schuerman, and Andy Linton; brother, Guy (Norma) Whitlow of Nokomis; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; spouse; son, Charles Schuerman; sister, Rosemary (Rosie) Hopwood; brother, Sam Whitlow; and niece, Kathy Whitlow.
No services are scheduled at this time. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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Paul F. Madden, 61 of Gillespie, died at his residence on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10:08 pm. He was born on September 27, 1964, in Litchfield to John Patrick Madden and Barbara Ann (Resnik) Madden Sawyer.
He married Elizabeth Ann (Morland) Madden on June 5, 2015 in Forsyth, IL. He was a sales manager in the equipment manufacturing industry. Paul was a huge golfer who also enjoyed music, playing the guitar, riding his bike, walking his dog, running and traveling.
He is survived by his spouse, Elizabeth Ann (Morland) Madden of Gillespie; daughter, Colleen (Ryan) Cash of Carlinville; step daughter, Zoey Mayo of Gillespie; brothers, John P (Betsy) Madden of St. Paul, MN, Timothy J. (Anne) Madden of Lemont, IL, and David W. (Sarah) Madden of Urbana, IL; and step father, George Sawyer of Gillespie.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Mark D. Madden.
Friends may call on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Kravanya Funeral Home in Gillespie from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. Funeral mass will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at SS Simon & Jude Church in Gillespie at 12:00 pm. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Gillespie, IL.
Memorials are suggested to Partnership For Educational Excellence District #7, BJC Hospice or Siteman Cancer Center. Kravanya Funeral Home, Gillespie is in charge of the arrangements.
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